EAST LANSING - The Michigan State football team is entering the dog days of training camp. Players are beginning to get tired of hitting each other and starting to count down the days until the season opener. Coaches on the other hand are trying to figure out the two-deep and get their first and second year players enough coaching to play if needed.

Before Wednesday's practice Spartan football coach Mark Dantonio met with members of the Michigan State press corps to discuss the latest developments in his program. The fourth-year Spartan coach spent a large chunk of the time discussing his team's 171-play controlled scrimmage that was won by the defense two days ago.

Dantonio lauded the play of senior captain Greg Jones, who recorded four sacks in the scrimmage. He also praised junior quarterback Kirk Cousins, who passed for more than 300 yards in the scrimmage.

Cousins took more reps than he would have if Andrew Maxwell would have been available for the scrimmage. Maxwell was out with a minor hip flexor. The red-shirt freshman was back at practice on Wednesday.

Dantonio was pleased with the play of sophomore cornerback Johnny Adams, who came away with one of the two picks thrown by Cousins. The Spartan head coach continued to praise the play of the youngest members of the defensive backfield.

Darqueze Dennard, a freshman cornerback from Georgia, looks like he will emerge as a back-up at corner. Dantonio is also pleased with the progress of Isaiah Lewis and Mylan Hicks.The fourth member of the freshman defensive backs class, Kurtis Drummond, is finished with training camp. Drummond will undergo minor shoulder surgery at a later date. Other injuries of note include Zach Hueter, who is out for the year with a shoulder injury.